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17 December 2009

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a lover of great taste? Why don't you take up our special offer
of $30 each for Pinchgut's Juditha Triumphans, Idomeneo, Dardanus and The Fairy Queen recordings? The offer is through Pinchgut only.

Also on offer is the limited edition Pinchgut T-Shirts with
every season listed. They come in a range of sizes (S, M, L, XL). at $25 each. Check them out HERE

And just released during the L’Ormindo season is our highly
acclaimed 2008 production of Charpentier’s David & Jonathan on CD. Swedish tenor Anders J Dahlin and Australian
soprano Sara Macliver headline as the doomed lovers in this long-forgotten
masterpiece. Reviews described our performance as “totally compelling” (Sydney
Morning Herald) and “elegant and exuberant” (The Australian). On sale now at
ABC shops, fine music stores and online at ABC online or Buywell.com.

In 2010, we will present Joseph Haydn's L'anima del filosofo
ossia Orfeo ed Euridice which translates as The soul of the philosopher, or, Orpheus
and Euridice. We are going to call it L'anima del filosofo. Here is a bit from
the newsletter:-

The story of Orpheus has fascinated composers and
librettists over the centuries. You will remember that we did Monteverdi's
wonderful version of the story in 2004 (Orfeo). In the newsletters next year
there will be lots of interesting stuff about Haydn and the work. Why, for
instance, it was first performed in 1951?

We want to share with you the work as we make it happen over
the year. The cast is being contracted and we will announce it not too far into
2010. We can say that there is a chorus, so Cantillation will be back with us.
Antony Walker will conduct a classical orchestra that will include Erin Helyard
playing fortepiano. We'll persuade him to tell us about the fortepiano - the
subject of his Masters thesis - during the year.

There are it seems two recordings in the catalogue: one with
Richard Bonynge and Joan Sutherland and a more recent one from Christopher
Hogwood and Cecilia Bartoli .We have alerted our favourite record stores and
they should have stock in the New Year. There is increasing interest in Haydn
operas in recent years - Nikolaus Harnoncourt has conducted quite a few -
though so far as we can tell from www.operabase.com (the best online record of
opera programmes) ours is the only production anywhere next year.

We have been informed that there is in fact a third
recording with the Munich Radio Orchestra. In any case, we hope these will be
stocked in the record stores soon.

So do join thePinchgut Newsletter List
if you have not already done so - it's great reading leading up to December 2010! Anna

10 December 2009

Thought I’d post some more photos ofL’Ormindo so you can have the visual effect
as you listen HERE.

As you know, our beloved chorus Cantillation was not part of
L’Ormindo, and many of its members have let us know how terrific it was to be part of the
audience for the first time (not again next year!). In any case, Cantillation is
currently performing Haydn’s masterwork The Creation, with the Sydney Symphony at the Opera House. They performed
last night and today to a terrific response and there are only 2 performances
left - Friday 11and Saturday 12. Hear Sara Macliver, Steve Davislim and Florian
Boesch, conducted from the fortepiano by Martin
Haselböck. To book call (02) 8215 4600 or 9250 2777 or online at www.sydneysymphony.com.

08 December 2009

Last night’s closing was special. The performance was
amazing and very emotional. Everyone gave everything and this was felt by the
enthusiastic audience. It was also broadcast on Sunday night on ABC Classic FM,
which is now available for streaming until the 16th December. So re-live it or
listen to what you missed HERE.

Today we say goodbye to our overseas friends
David Walker (Ormindo), Deb Fox, theorbo; and interstaters Fiona Campbell
(Erisbe, Erisbe …), designer Adam Gardnir, Julia Fredersdorff, first violin,
Laura Vaughan, lira da gamba and all our wonderful performers now move onto
their next engagements. There was, of course, the After Party. Lots of fun with
some tears. It’s just amazing that this group of people will never be together
again. Erin Helyard has always wanted to do Cavalli and his direction and
shaping of this music was a wonder to see and to hear.

Last night’s performance
was David Walker’s last as well – and what a special night for him and for
audiences. At the height of his singing career he is changing direction and
will start a new career in arts administration, especially opera. We are
honoured that he has chosen Sydney - and Pinchgut - for his last performance.
All of us at Pinchgut wish David well for the future, and thank him for helping
us create something very special.

The emails and comments continue to
roll in with one Pinchgut opera virgin saying, "it was such a special
experience that frankly I'd come and see you lot do a production of the White
Pages."

The Opera Critic’s review is now online: "Sydney affords few better
examples of the depth of artistic talent on offer in this country than
Pinchgut. Combining as it does the lucid leadership of both Helyard and Masel
with a first-rate cast and an especially felicitous repertoire choice, this
irresistible L'Ormindo might just be the company's finest achievement yet."
Full review HERE

06 December 2009

Last night’s second presentation of L’Ormindo was again met
with a barrage of emails and comments. For now, here is what other social media
and reviews are saying:-

A 4&1/2 star rating from Opera Britannia:-“… a stunning performance from mezzo-soprano Fiona
Campbell…Campbell has a remarkably bright tone for a mezzo, and sang with
unfailing golden tone. In realizing her love for Ormindo (“Che semina in un
petto volubile”), she filled the auditorium with heartfelt glorious singing,
and again in the (apparent) death scene, “Di te mi duole” was gorgeously
plaintive.

" and "Countertenor David Walker appeared for
Pinchgut two years ago ..and it is good to welcome him back as
Ormindo. Ranging from the robust ringing tones of the opening scene to a
tender and delicate rendition of “Erisbe, aspetto”” More…

“With strong musical leadership from Erin Helyard, the
Orchestra of the Antipodes and youthful cast nurture the sensuous side of this
music - its flowing, stylised lines and frequent cadences, its freedom, lilt
and tendency to flower into ornamentation that rapidly bubbles across the
orchestral texture…Counter-tenor David Walker, as Ormindo, sings beguilingly
with a rich glow of gentleness and warmth. Against him Fiona Campbell (Erisbe)
has a strong, brilliant and at times thrilling sound….Taryn Fiebig, as the
Princess Sicle who turns gypsy to follow her unfaithful lover, extracts a
remarkable expressive and dynamic range from this style of continuous
mellifluousness, giving one of the most impressive performances of the night…Kanen
Breen, in a high-camp performance as Sicle's supposed ''nurse'', brings the
house down.” More...

The I am a liminal being blog: - “Go and make a night of it. Relax,
enjoy the city, get into the time machine. You only have a few more chances.” And
a great description of Erin Helyard as “a fantastic creature of all limbs..
emerging up from his harpsichord seat like a giant spider, working his players
and the singers with much care and attention.” More...

“Every December since 2002 Sydney’s Pinchgut Opera has
produced an obscure baroque opera at the City Recital Hall. The company employs
top-notch instrumentalists wth period instruments that produce an incredibly
haunting and evocative blend of sounds; they gather outstanding soloists,
including a few international guests; and they bring these together in a
cleverly staged, intelligently directed musical drama. What they achieve, every
time, is to make you scratch your head and wonder how on earth such a sublime
masterpiece could ever have fallen into obscurity.” More...

The Opera Critic site (for photos gallery and hub of online stuff) More...

Musicqueart article: "17th Century opera was like a nightclub" More...

If you missed Erin Helyard’s interview on ABC's Radio National's The Music Show
yesterday, listen up HERE.

And for only those that simply CAN’T make it to the 5pm
performance today, then you can listen to ABC Classic FM’s broadcast at 7pm tonight. More...

I’d love to fill a post up with our audience's comments (after all
- that is at the heart of everything!) but will collate them and add to the
Pinchgut Opera website soon. So I will control myself for now, but just one (or two)
more: -

“I was able to become totally engaged in the music and left
the performance completely revived.” and "The whole evening left me on a high. I couldn't sleep for hours".

See you at 5pm today or your LAST chance tomorrow - Monday
7th at 7.30pm. Call ph: 02 8256 2222 or online. Anna.

04 December 2009

Some of the reviews are out today and here is what they have
said about Wednesday’s opening of Cavalli’s L’Ormindo:-

The Australian: “Pinchgut has always assembled a strong cast
for its productions. L'Ormindo proves no different. American countertenor David
Walker … impresses once again with his piercing clarity and sense of line.
Pinchgut regular and mezzo-soprano Fiona Campbell sings the role of Erisbe with
richly coloured, full-voiced power. As Sicle, soprano Taryn Fiebig displays her
trademark tonal purity. Both singers also capture their characters' emotional
complexity. Kanen Breen's Erice confirms his reputation as a brilliant comic
performer while Anna Fraser makes a pleasingly bright-toned Mirinda….Cavalli's
music reveals a composer with strong melodic and dramatic gifts. Under Erin
Helyard's focused direction, the polished sonorities, incisive attack and
sinuous phrasing of the Orchestra of the Antipodes realise both aspects of the
score."

Artshub: “Love conquers all in this delightful confection by Pinchgut Opera….
It has soaring, floating music, superb singing and expressive recitative… Under
the dynamic direction of Erin Helyard the Orchestra of the Antipodes
glows."

Also listen in tomorrow morning to ABC Radio National’s The
Music Show, Erin Helyard (L’Ormindo's music director) will be interviewed first
up at 10am.

And another from our audience (‘cos I can’t help myself…):-

"As a regular attendee of Pinchgut productions, my
congratulations on the best one ever. I went to the first night and thoroughly
enjoyed opera which, not surprisingly, was unknown to me. Everything about the
production was brilliant - the singing, the orchestra, the acting and the set."

03 December 2009

Of course I would say that – but this is from the punters. At last night's opening of L'Ormindo there was a terrific buzz and I
love eavesdropping and talking to our audience in the foyers. Many people said that they were delighted that it was such a magnificently performed, “contemporary” and brilliant work - and amazed it was
written in 1644.

A few comments from this morning’s pile of emails:-

“… the most brilliant performance this evening. It
truly is the best of all the wonderful operas over the last 8 years of our
beloved Pinchgut. From the first WOW factor of the set on entering, the
lighting, the absolutely breathtakingly beautiful music played and directed so
magnificently all evening, to the most glorious singers - one and all - each
and every one - such beauty which never flagged, never lost its radiance -
amazing characterisations for every role - humour played to perfection -
wonderful costumes and brilliant direction overall. A lady who sat next to me
said something quite wonderful I think - "I have come every year for the
last four years, I love music, I am not a fan of opera, but I adore and would
never miss Pinchgut". In admiration and awe of all your talent and
commitment to perfection in musical experience in opera.”

"Congratulations on a superb L'Ormindo last night! This was
certainly a musical highlight of the year for me. The performance was wonderful
in every respect: production, singing and orchestra."

“…It was a privilege to be in the audience. Your work
continues to surprise, dazzle and inspire. What's especially wonderful is the
collaboration: talent, passion and commitment in a team working to create
something magical. Each year I imagine you can't better what you offered
previously, but you do."

Did you attend last night? Let us know what you thought. We would
love to hear anything – good and not so good! anna@pinchgutopera.com.au

So tell everyone! And come again! Only three performances
left, this Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

01 December 2009

OK that’s it. With the General rehearsal this afternoon, we
have a show all ready for you for tomorrow night! It sounds and looks amazing.
The orchestra is in conversation with the singers. It is a very dramatic piece -
and the instruments completly support of the singers - sometimes in conversation, sometimes travelling with them. The stage has transformed
the whole feeling of the City Recital Hall - it is colourful and inspiring.
Some parts of this opera are screamingly funny and some are wrenchingly sad.
The cast and players will take you on an amazing emotional ride. We are all in
awe of how the singers and players have mastered this difficult music so that
the action unfolds effortlessly and powerfully as if they are just telling the
story.